Rack system with minimum dead space

ABSTRACT

A rack system for minimizing dead space includes a frame having a top, a device to be housed, and at least two ears adapted to horizontally secure the device from the top. The ears may be fastened directly to the top of the frame or fastened to two parallel horizontal rails which are braced to the top of the frame. The device is attached to each ear such that the device is parallel to the horizontal rails. The device&#39;s position relative to the top of the frame may be adjusted due to vertical slots in a side flange of each of the ears. An alternative embodiment includes a rack system having a frame with a top, a device to be housed, and a tray upon which the device may horizontally sit. The tray is fastened directly to the top of the frame or fastened to two parallel horizontal rails which are braced to the top of the frame. An additional clamp may be provided to secure the device between the tray and the clamp. Methods and kits for minimizing dead space in rack systems are also provided.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention generally relates to rack systems and inparticular, to a rack system that horizontally secures a device in anupper portion of the rack system such that dead space is minimized.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Racks provide space for housing various equipment includingcomputer servers, audio, telecommunication, security and other types ofequipment. Desirably, racks house as much equipment as possible. If moreequipment is housed in a rack, less building space (i.e., squarefootage) is needed to house the equipment. Consequently, maximizinguseable space (or minimizing dead space) lowers building rent payments.Rack space may also be used as an income source where customers pay rentby the rack space (e.g., co-located servers in a data center).

[0003] Space, however, is limited for a number of reasons. Physicalconstraints on rack fabrication, for example, limit the size of racks.The machines and tools that are used to fabricate racks have physicallimits which make it impracticable to build larger racks. Additionally,building ceiling heights, doorway heights and restrictions set bycontrolling governmental authorities prevent building larger racks.

[0004] Space is also limited by industry standards. The industry's “rackspace,” for example, is 1.75 inches in height along two vertical railsthat are braced 19 inches apart. Equipment that is intended to be rackmounted must thus fit within these specifications and is typicallymanufactured in height increments of 1.75 inches.

[0005] Various conventional rack mounting techniques fail to utilize allspace available in the racks. The shortcomings of the conventionalmounting techniques arise from the conventional rack structure, asdescribed below.

[0006] As shown in FIG. 1, conventional rack frames typically includeparallel vertical rails or rackrails 10 and are fabricated from steel oraluminum. The rails 10 are positioned along the sides of the racks atthe front and rear. Conventional racks are typically braced such thatthe rack top 15 includes unused space (dead space) 18. The dead spacemay be about 3 to 4 inches in height and approximately 19 inches inwidth. Clearly, the dead space is large enough to house various usefulequipment.

[0007] The problem, however, is that conventional rack techniques failto provide a convenient method to mount equipment in the dead space.Conventional mounting techniques simply fasten equipment to the front ofthe vertical rack rails which are typically threaded for screws orpunched for clip nuts. Devices are thus fastened to the front of therack frame and are generally perpendicular to the vertical rackrails.

[0008] Front-mounting has been generally preferred over other types ofmounting because the front rails are most convenient for humaninterface. An example of front-mounting is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. InFIGS. 1 and 2, Device B is shown front-mounted to vertical rails 10.Notably, the conventional bracket is mounted on the face of the verticalrails 10 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 such that Device B is perpendicularto the vertical rackrails 10. An enlarged view of a convention bracketor ear 20 is shown in FIG. 3. As shown in FIG. 3, ear 20 includesopening 30 to receive a fastener such as a screw. This conventionaltechnique thus does not provide or suggest a way to utilize the deadspace in the upper portion of a rack system.

[0009] Other conventional rack systems likewise fail to minimize thedead space. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,460,441 and 5,571,256, for example,disclose a slideout outer drawer in a vertically elongated cabinetstructure and a server unit drawer structure in a server cabinetrespectively. U.S. Pat. No. 6,142,590 to Harvell discloses a shelfhaving adjustable mounting rails and a drawer in a cabinet of a serversystem rack. Each of the above referenced patents are herebyincorporated by reference in their entirety. Still, none of thesereferences disclose a rack system having minimum dead space as disclosedherein.

[0010] Even in racks where equipment is installed near the top of therack, the equipment is front-mounted such that the equipment isperpendicular to the vertical rackrails and the type of equipment islimited. What is needed is a rack system that utilizes the dead spaceand allows a variety of equipment to be mounted therein.

[0011] It is therefore desirable to provide a rack system with thefeatures of the present invention as disclosed herein.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0012] The present invention is useful for mounting equipment in racksand in particular, for mounting a device to a top of a rack frame suchthat the device is horizontally secured in an upper portion of the rackframe.

[0013] In one variation of the present invention, a rack systemcomprises a frame having a top and a front; a device; and at least twoears for mounting the device to the frame. The device being mounted tothe top of the frame via the at least two ears wherein each of the atleast two ears comprises a side flange which is coupled to a side of thedevice and a top flange which is coupled to the top of the frame suchthat the device is horizontally secured in an upper portion of theframe.

[0014] In another variation of the present invention, a rack systemcomprises a frame having a top and a front; a device; and at least twoears for mounting the device to the frame. The frame further comprisesat least two horizontal rails at the top of the frame. The horizontalrails being parallel and a sufficient distance apart such that thedevice may be positioned therebetween. The device being mounted to thehorizontal rails via the at least two ears wherein each of the at leasttwo ears comprises a side flange which is coupled to a side of thedevice and a top flange which is coupled to one of the at least twohorizontal rails such that the device is secured in an upper portion ofthe frame and such that the device is parallel to the horizontal rails.

[0015] In another variation of the present invention, each side flangeof the ears includes slotted openings such that the device may bepositioned an adjustable distance from the top of the frame.

[0016] Another variation of the present invention includes any of therack systems defined above further comprising a plurality of deviceshorizontally secured to the top of the frame via a plurality of ears.

[0017] In another variation of the present invention, a rack systemcomprises a frame having a top and a front; a device; and a tray for thedevice to sit. The frame further comprises at least two horizontal railsat the top of the frame. The horizontal rails being a sufficientdistance apart such that the device may be positioned therebetween. Thetray comprising at least two top flanges for mounting the tray to the atleast two horizontal rails and a base region large enough to provide asurface upon which the device may sit such that the device sits in anupper portion of the frame.

[0018] Another variation of the present invention includes the racksystem defined above wherein the frame further comprises a pair ofvertical rack rails at the front of the frame and wherein the racksystem further comprises a second device front-mounted to the verticalrack rails.

[0019] In another variation of the present invention, a rack systemcomprises a frame having a top and a front; a device; a tray for thedevice to horizontally sit; and at least one clamp to secure the devicebetween the tray and the clamp. The frame further comprises at least twohorizontal rails at the top of the frame. The horizontal rails being asufficient distance apart such that the device may be positionedtherebetween. The tray comprising at least two top flanges for mountingthe tray to the at least two horizontal rails and a base region largeenough to provide a surface upon which the device may sit. The racksystem further comprising at least one clamp adapted to secure thedevice against the tray. The at least one clamp comprising a body and atleast one side region which is adjustably fastened to a side flange ofan ear. The ear comprising a top flange which is fastened to one of thehorizontal rails. The side flange of the ear also comprising a slottedopening such that the clamp may be urged upwards or downwards to securethe device between the tray and the clamp.

[0020] Another variation of the present invention is a method forsecuring a device in an upper portion of a rack system. The methodcomprises the steps of attaching at least two ears to the top of therack system and fastening a device to the two ears such that the devicehorizontally hangs in an upper portion of the rack system and whereineach of the at least two ears comprises a side flange which is coupledto a side of the device and a top flange which is coupled to the top ofthe rack system. The method may further include bracing at least twohorizontal rails to the top of the rack system wherein the horizontalrails are a sufficient distance apart such that the device may bepositioned therebetween and wherein the device is mounted to thehorizontal rails via the at least two ears wherein each top flange iscoupled to each horizontal rail such that the device is horizontallysecured in an upper portion of the frame. The method may additionalcomprise the step of bracing a second device on top of the first devicein the upper portion of the rack system using a clamp.

[0021] Another variation of the present invention is a method forhorizontally securing a device in an upper portion of a rack system. Themethod comprises the steps of attaching a tray to the top of the racksystem and sitting a device on a base region of the tray such that thedevice hangs in an upper portion of the rack system. The method mayfurther include the step of clamping the device to the tray using aclamp which is adjustable in position.

[0022] Another variation of the present invention comprises modifying orretrofitting an existing rack system by horizontally securing at leastone device to the top of the rack system via at least one ear.

[0023] Another variation of the present invention is a kit comprising aplurality of ears as described above. The present invention may alsofeature a kit which comprises clamps. The kit may additionally includetrays.

[0024] Another variation of the present invention includes providinginstructions on minimizing dead space in a rack system.

[0025] The present invention also includes racks without devices. Thatis, the present invention can include a rack and mounting hardware toinstall a device to a top of a frame or to a pair of horizontalrackrails at the top of a frame such that the device is positionedparallel to the top of the frame or parallel to the horizontalrackrails.

[0026] The present invention also includes any of the above rack systemswherein the rack system houses at least one computer server.

[0027] Yet another variation of the present invention comprises a racksystem wherein the frame is a cabinet-shaped structure. Still anothervariation of the present invention comprises a frame wherein the frameis an elongated rectangular-shaped structure comprising a plurality ofvertical spaces. Yet another variation of the present invention includesa rack system having a frame comprising at least one cover.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028]FIG. 1 is a partial front view of a conventional rack systemshowing a cabinet frame structure having vertical rackrails, afront-mounted device, and dead space in the upper portion of the fame.

[0029]FIG. 2 is a partial side view of a conventional rack systemshowing a device front-mounted to vertical rackrails.

[0030]FIG. 3 is a picture of a conventional bracket used to front-mountdevices.

[0031]FIG. 4A is a partial front view of a rack system in accordancewith the present invention.

[0032]FIG. 4B is a right side view of the rack system shown in FIG. 4A.

[0033]FIG. 4C is a top view of the rack system shown in FIG. 4A.

[0034]FIG. 5 is a partial illustration of an ear joined to a chassis ofa device in accordance with the present invention.

[0035]FIG. 6A is a perspective view of an ear in accordance with thepresent invention.

[0036]FIG. 6B is a front view of the ear shown in FIG. 6A.

[0037]FIG. 6C is a side view of the ear shown in FIG. 6A.

[0038]FIG. 6D is a top view of the ear shown in FIG. 6A.

[0039] FIGS. 7A-7B are pictures showing partial views of a rack systemin accordance with the present invention.

[0040]FIG. 8 is a front view of a variation of the present inventionincluding a device tray.

[0041]FIGS. 9A and 9B are front and top views respectively of anothervariation of the present invention including clamps.

[0042]FIG. 10A is a front view of a clamp in accordance with the presentinvention.

[0043]FIG. 10B is a side view of the clamp shown in FIG. 10A.

[0044]FIG. 10C is a bottom view of the clamp shown in FIG. 10A.

[0045]FIG. 11 is a picture of a rack system partially assembled inaccordance with the present invention.

[0046]FIG. 12 is an illustration of a kit including ears and fastenersin accordance with the present invention.

[0047]FIG. 13 is an illustration of another kit in accordance with thepresent invention including clamps, ears, and fasteners.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0048] The present invention is a rack system that minimizes dead spacetypically found in conventional rack systems. The present inventionprovides a mounting method and hardware that allows equipment anddevices to be installed in space which is normally unused (hereinreferred to as “dead space”). Unlike conventional rack systems, thepresent invention installs a device on rackrails such that the rackrailsand the device are parallel. Further, a variation of the presentinvention provides for installing non-mountable devices in the deadspace of typical rack systems. Other variations will become apparentupon reading the following disclosure in conjunction with the attacheddrawings.

[0049] A first embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS.4A-4C. Referring to FIG. 4A, a rack system 100 is shown. Rack system 100includes a cabinet structure or frame made up of, amongst othercomponents, vertical rack rails 110 and horizontal rack rails 120. Thehorizontal rack rails 120 are attached at the top of the rack system.

[0050]FIG. 4A further shows Device A hung in upper space 125 which isnormally mere dead space. Device A is hung in this embodiment usingnovel ears 130. Ears 130 are fastened to both the horizontal rails 120and to a chassis of Device A using, for example, screws 140. FIG. 5depicts an ear attached to a chassis of a device using a screw. However,other fasteners may be used and other fastening techniques may beemployed such as adhesives, spot welds, rivets, etc.

[0051] The invention is not limited to particular types of devices orequipment. Device A may be any piece of equipment which fits within theupper space and can be joined to ears 130. Suitable devices to bepositioned in the upper space 125 include but are not limited torouters, Ethernet patch bays, keyboard video mount (KVM) expansionunits, and any other device which is not required to be mounted alongthe vertical rackrails. By securing such devices in the upper space of arack system in accordance with the present invention, valuable space ismade available for additional useful devices that must be mounted to thevertical rackrails.

[0052] The present invention is also not limited to a rack systemcomprising horizontal rails at the top of the rack. Alternatively, ears130 may be mounted directly to the cover (or top) of the rack. If holesare not present in the cover, holes can be drilled so that ears may beattached thereto.

[0053] Ears 130 are configured to connect Device A to horizontal rails120. Suitable materials for the ears include steel and aluminum.However, other materials may be used.

[0054] FIGS. 6A-6D show an ear 150 in accordance with present invention.Referring to FIG. 6A, an ear 150 is shown with a top flange or extension160 extending from a side flange or body 170. Preferably, top flange 160is perpendicular to side flange 170 as shown in FIG. 6C and is adaptedto be fastened to the horizontal rails of the rack frame. Side flange170 preferably has a height H in the range of about 2.5 to 4 inches anda width W in the range of about 1.5 to 2.5 inches and more preferably awidth of about 1.75 inches. While dimensions have been provided in thisdisclosure, it is to be understood that the dimensions may be differentdepending on, for example, the dimensions of the devices and rackframes. For example, in a rack system having increased dead space, itmay be desirable to increase the height of the ears beyond 4 inchesenabling larger devices to be secured therein. Further, it may bedesirable to increase the width of the side flange up to the depth ofthe rack frame. It may also be desirable to horizontally secure multipledevices within the upper (or dead) space of a rack system using thepresent invention.

[0055] Referring to FIG. 6B, side flange 170 includes two openings orslots 180 which allow for convenient fastening between the device andthe ear. The slots 180 also provide a mechanism for adjusting thedevice's position from the top of the rack system.

[0056] Referring to FIG. 6D, top flange 160 also features openings 190.The openings 190 in the top flange are configured to match with theholes along the horizontal rails such that a fastener, such as a screw,may be inserted through the opening 190 and received by the hole in thehorizontal rail. Accordingly, a device may be conveniently hung in theupper space (normally dead space) of a rack system (see, for example,FIGS. 7A and 7B). Unlike some conventional mounts where the deviceprotrudes beyond the plane of the rackrails, the present inventionprovides for mounting a device horizontally below the rails and withinthe rack frame such that the device is entirely contained and protectedtherein. There is thus no need for additional security or other types ofcovers.

[0057] A variation of the present invention is shown in FIG. 8. FIG. 8illustrates a rack system 200 with a tray 210. Tray 210 is connected tohorizontal rails via a top flange 220. Top flange 220 may be configuredsimilar to top flange 160 of the variation described above. Tray 210further comprises a side flange 230 which provides a suitable depth fora particular device. Larger devices, for example, will require sideflanges 230 with a larger depth D. Notably, tray 210 provides a platformfor non-rack mountable devices to sit. In other words, equipment maysimply be placed on the tray without requiring an additional fasteningstep. This variation thus provides another convenient system to utilizethe upper space (typically mere dead space) in rack systems.

[0058] Another variation of the present invention features a clamp usedin combination with the tray described above. This embodiment is shownin FIGS. 9A and 9B.

[0059] Referring to FIG. 9A, a front view of a rack system is shownhaving a Device A secured between clamp 310 and a tray 320. FIG. 9B is atop view of the rack system and shows the clamps 310 spanning across thetop of Device A and attached to ears 330. Ears 330 are attached tohorizontal rails 335. The location and the number of the clamps may beadjusted depending on the application and the device to be secured.

[0060] As shown in FIG. 9A, Device A is urged against tray 320 by clamp310. The clamping force F results from a combination of factorsincluding but not limited to the resilience of feet 340 which contactthe top of Device A; the depth D of tray 310; and, of course, thevertical positioning of the clamps relative to the tray.

[0061] Referring to FIGS. 10A-10C, clamp 310 includes a body 345 andside regions 350. Side regions 350 define aperture 360 which is adaptedto receive a fastener. Thus, a fastener may be used to join clamp 310 toan ear 330. The ears 330 are attached to horizontal rails such that theclamp is secured.

[0062] Notably, the vertical position of the clamps relative to the trayis adjustable. The vertical position of the clamps is adjusted bymanipulating upwards or downwards the clamp relative to ears 330 beforetightening or fastening the clamp thereto. Vertical movement is possiblebecause, as described above, the ears 330 preferably include a verticalslot. Details of the ears 330 are described above in connection with theother embodiments.

[0063] Another variation of the present invention includes use of clampswithout a tray. For example, a device may be mounted in the upper spaceof a rack system and a second device may be placed thereon. The seconddevice can be secured using a clamp such that the second device isproperly compressed between the clamp and the first device. The firstdevice, of course, is held in place using the ears, as described above.A partial illustration of this embodiment is shown in FIG. 11 wherein aclamp 375 is attached to only one ear and the ear is shown unattached tohorizontal rails. FIG. 11 does not show a second device between theclamp and the first device, however, it is to be understood that asecond device may be positioned therebetween.

[0064] The present invention also includes kits for minimizing deadspace in racks. A kit in accordance with the present invention is shown,for example, in FIG. 12 and includes a plurality of rack ears 400.Fasteners 410 may also be provided for convenient mounting. The ears 400are similar to the ears described above in the previous variations ofthe present invention.

[0065] Another kit is shown in FIG. 13 wherein clamps 450 areadditionally provided. The clamps 450 are configured and used asdescribed above with respect to the previous variations of the presentinvention.

[0066] All of the features disclosed in this specification (includingany accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the stepsof any method or process disclosed, may be combined in any combination,except combinations where at least some of such features and/or stepsare mutually exclusive. Each feature disclosed, in this specification(including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) may bereplaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similarpurpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expresslystated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of ageneric series of equivalent or similar features. The invention is notrestricted to the details of the foregoing embodiments. The inventionextends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the featuresdisclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims,abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination,of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

1. A rack system comprising: a frame having a top and a front; and atleast two ears for mounting a device to the frame, said device beingmountable to the top of the frame via the at least two ears wherein eachof the at least two ears comprises a side flange which is adapted to becoupled to a side of the device and a top flange which is adapted to becoupled to the top of the frame such that the device may be horizontallysecured in an upper portion of the frame.
 2. The rack system of claim 1wherein each side flange of the ears includes slotted openings such thatthe device may be positioned an adjustable distance from the top of theframe.
 3. The rack system of claim 1 comprising said device.
 4. The racksystem of claim 1 wherein said frame further comprises a pair ofvertical rack rails at the front of the frame and wherein the racksystem comprises a second device front-mounted to the vertical rackrails.
 5. A rack system comprising: a frame having a top and a front;and at least two ears for mounting a device to the frame, said framefurther comprising at least two horizontal rails at the top of the frameand said horizontal rails being parallel and a sufficient distance apartsuch that the device may be positioned therebetween, said device beingadapted to be mounted to the horizontal rails via the at least two earswherein each of the at least two ears comprises a side flange which isadapted to be coupled to a side of the device and a top flange which iscoupled to one of the at least two horizontal rails such that the devicemay be secured in an upper portion of the frame and such that the devicemay be parallel to the horizontal rails.
 6. The rack system of claim 5comprising said device.
 7. The rack system of claim 5 wherein each sideflange of the ears includes slotted openings such that the device may bepositioned an adjustable distance from the top of the frame.
 8. The racksystem of claim 5 further comprising a plurality of devices horizontallysecured to the top of the frame via a plurality of ears.
 9. The racksystem of claim 5 wherein said frame further comprises a pair ofvertical rack rails at the front of the frame and wherein the racksystem further comprises a second device front-mounted to the verticalrack rails.
 10. A rack system comprising: a frame having a top and afront; and a tray for a device to sit, said frame further comprising atleast two horizontal rails at the top of the frame and said horizontalrails being a sufficient distance apart such that the device may bepositioned therebetween, said tray comprising at least two top flangesfor mounting the tray to the at least two horizontal rails and a baseregion large enough to provide a surface upon which the device may sitsuch that the device may sit in an upper portion of the frame.
 11. Therack system of claim 10 comprising said device.
 12. The rack system ofclaim 11 wherein said frame further comprises a pair of vertical rackrails at the front of the frame and wherein the rack system furthercomprises a second device front-mounted to the vertical rack rails. 13.A rack system comprising: a frame having a top and a front; a device; atray for the device to horizontally sit; and at least one clamp tosecure the device between the tray and the clamp, said frame furthercomprising at least two horizontal rails at the top of the frame, saidhorizontal rails being a sufficient distance apart such that the devicemay be positioned therebetween and said tray comprising at least two topflanges for mounting the tray to the at least two horizontal rails and abase region large enough to provide a surface upon which the device maysit, said rack system further comprising at least one clamp adapted tosecure the device against the tray wherein said at least one clampcomprising a body and at least one side region which is adjustablyfastened to a side flange of an ear, said ear comprising a top flangewhich is fastened to one of the horizontal rails and said side flange ofthe ear also comprising a slotted opening such that the clamp may beurged upwards or downwards to secure the device between the tray and theclamp.
 14. A method for securing a device in an upper portion of a racksystem comprising: attaching at least two ears to the top of the racksystem and fastening a device to the two ears such that the devicehorizontally hangs in an upper portion of the rack system and whereineach of the at least two ears comprises a side flange which is coupledto a side of the device and a top flange which is coupled to the top ofthe rack system.
 15. The method of claim 14 further comprising bracingat least two horizontal rails to the top of the rack system wherein thehorizontal rails are a sufficient distance apart such that the devicemay be positioned therebetween and wherein the device is mounted to thehorizontal rails via the at least two ears wherein each top flange iscoupled to each horizontal rail such that the device is horizontallysecured in an upper portion of the frame
 16. The method of claim 15further comprising bracing a second device on top of the first device inthe upper portion of the rack system using a clamp.
 17. A method forhorizontally securing a device in an upper portion of a rack systemcomprising: attaching a tray to the top of the rack system; and sittinga device on a base region of the tray such that the device hangs in anupper portion of the rack system.
 18. The method of claim 17 furthercomprising clamping the device to the tray using a clamp which isadjustable in position.
 19. A method for increasing storage in a rack byat least one of modifying and retrofitting an existing rack systemcomprising: horizontally securing at least one device to the top of therack system via at least one ear.
 20. A kit comprising: a plurality ofears, each of said ears comprises a side flange which is adapted to becoupled to a side of a device and a top flange which is adapted to becoupled to the top of a rack frame such that the device may behorizontally secured in an upper portion of the frame.
 21. The kit ofclaim 20 further comprising at least one of tray and a clamp.
 22. Thekit of claim 20 further comprising a set of written instructions onminimizing dead space in a rack system.
 23. The rack system of claim 1wherein the rack system houses at least one least one computer server.24. The rack system of claim 1 wherein the frame is a cabinet-shapedstructure.
 25. The rack system of claim 1 wherein the frame is anelongated rectangular-shaped structure comprising a plurality ofvertical spaces.
 26. The rack system of claim 1 wherein the framecomprises at least one cover.
 27. The rack system of claim 5 wherein therack system houses at least one least one computer server.
 28. The racksystem of claim 5 wherein the frame is a cabinet-shaped structure. 29.The rack system of claim 5 wherein the frame is an elongatedrectangular-shaped structure comprising a plurality of vertical spaces.30. The rack system of claim 5 wherein the frame comprises at least onecover.
 31. The rack system of claim 10 wherein the rack system houses atleast one least one computer server.
 32. The rack system of claim 10wherein the frame is a cabinet-shaped structure.
 33. The rack system ofclaim 10 wherein the frame is an elongated rectangular-shaped structurecomprising a plurality of vertical spaces.
 34. The rack system of claim10 wherein the frame comprises at least one cover.